Film rack



Dec. l2, 1944. E W, COQPER 2,364,891

FILM RACK Filed DEC. 18, 1940 @1- -f Patented D'ec. 12, 1944 FILM RACK Ellis W. Cooper, Los Angeles. Calif., assignor of one-hal! to Ellis S. Cooper, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 18, 1940, Serial No. 370,586

8 Claims.

This invention relates to film holders and film racks and relates more particularly to film racks useful in holding photographic film during the developing process. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical inexpensive film developing rack which materially facilitates the handling and developing of the film.

In developing the so-called cut negative photographic films it is the general practice to either employ separate individual holders for the several films, which are individually placed in the developing tank, or to individually insert the several films in a single rack which in turn is placed in the developing tank. During the developing process it is often desirable to inspect the films to determine their stages of development. When employing the conventional lm holders and racks it is impractical to inspect each individual film because of the time and care required for the individual handling of the plurality of lms andbecause there is always danger of scratching or injuring the lms in the poor light of the dark room. For this reason it is customary to either merely time the developing period or to inspect only one or two films. If the developing period is timed without an inspection of the lms the films or certain of them are often either over developed or under developed. The inspection or one or two lms does not necessarily reveal the state of development of the entire group of films. Further, the inspection of the individual iilrns does not provide for a comparison of the films one with the other.

Another object of this invention is to provide a film developing rack for receiving and holding a plurality of films which permits the rapid in spection of all of the films and a rapid effective comparison of the several films one with the other without individually handling any of the films. When the film rack of the present invention is removed from the developing tank it may be quickly extended and passed back and forth in front of the safety light to permit an individual inspection of each of the several films and to obtain a comparison of their development stages without directly handing the films.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lm rack of the character referred to which allows for the easy individual removal of the films without disturbing the other films. When upon inspection of the several films, as above described, it is found that one or more of the films have been developed to the desired extent, these films may be quickly removed from the rack whereupon the rack may be contracted and replaced in the tank GFI ; the further development of the remaining Another obiect'of this invention is to provide a film rack of the character referred to which may be readily extended and placed on a table -or like support for the easy insertion of the individual films and then folded into a compact unit for insertion in the developing tank, following which it may be withdrawn at any time and extended and moved back and forth before the safety light for the inspection, comparison and removal of the A further object of this invention is to provide a lm developing rack of the character referred to in which the lms are automatically locked in their respective cells or holders when the rack is folded into the compact relation for insertion in the developing tank.

A still further object of this invention -is to provide a lm developing rack of the character referred to that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is easy and convenient to use.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. i is an encl elevation of the improved film rack of the invention in the compact operative position within a developing tank, showing the tank in vertical cross section. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rack removed from the tank. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the rack in the exu tended condition for the insertion and removal of the films. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary face or front view of the rack in an extended condition. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 4. and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. l.

The film rack of the present invention may be said to comprise generally a plurality of units or holders i0 for the individual films F, means Il hingedly connecting the holders I0 for relative movement between a contracted relationship and an extended condition, and releasable means I2 for retaining or latching the holders I0 in the contracted condition.

The cells or holders I 0 comprising a rack of the invention are each adapted to receive or hold a film F. The holders I0 may be shaped and proportioned to handle films of any size and proporformed from a single piece of material.

tion and there may be any selected number of holders. In practice there may be sufficient holders I0 to receive the several films of a conventional lm pack. In accordance with the invention the holders I may be alike or identical to simplify the construction and reduce the cost of manufacture. 'I'he holders I0 are square or rectangular frame-like parts and if desired may be stamped or 'Ihe holders each comprise two side members I3, a bottom member Il and a top member I5. 'I'he members I3, I4 and I5 of which the holders I0 are constructed may be formed of a metal or alloy resistanct to the iiuids and materials employed in the development and treatment of the iilm and, i

the members I3, I4 and I5 may be of strip or strap stock.

The side members I3 are elongate parts which are channel shaped or substantially U-shape in transverse cross section to have vertical grooves or channels I6 for receiving the edge portions of the films F. The side parts I3 of each holder I0 are arranged in spaced apart substantially parallel opposed relation to have their channels I6 facing toward one another. Perforations I 'I may be spaced along the outer edges of the members I3 to facilitate the circulation of'the developing fluids, etc., around the films F. The for er I0 has a lateral or generally horizontal flange 2I extending along its upper edge. The flanges 2I project in the opposite direction to the bottom nanges I9, that is, the flanges 2I project from the rear sides of the holders I0. Thus the -flanges ZI leave the upper ends of the channels x that where the several parts of the holders are welded together as above described, the holders ward or outer walls of the channel shaped side" I members I3 are cut or bevelled back at their opposite ends to facilitate the ready insertion of the films and to facilitate the connection of the members with the bottom and top members I4 and I5.

The bottom members Il serve to connect or tie together the lower ends roi! the side parts I3 and operate as rests or supports for the lower edges of the films F. The bottom members I4 are-arranged against the rear faces of the side members I3 and are joined or xed to the side members. Spot welds I8 may join or connect the members I4 and their respective side members I3. Other appropriate means for connecting the members I3 and I4 may be employed. The bottom members I! are suiiiciently long to extend beyond the side members I3. the projecting tabs or parts thus provided being employed as elements of the hinge means I I to be later described. In accordance with the invention the bottom members I4 have lateral or forwardly turned flanges I9 extending along their lowei` edges. The anges I9 are at what may be termed the forward sides of the holders I0 so that they oppose or close the lower ends of the iilm receiving channels IB. The lower edges of the iilms F engage or rest on the lianges I9 to support the films in the' holders I0. The flanges I8 preferably terminate at or below the lower ends of the side members I3 and may curve upwardly along their edges.

The top members I5 of the holders I0 serve to connect or tie together the upper ends of the side members I3 and operate to lock or retain 4the films F in the holders I0 when the rack is in its contracted or folded together condition. The top members I5 resemble the bottom members Il each being an elongate strap or strip-like part arranged against the rear faces of its respective side members I3 adjacent the upper ends thereof. Spot welds 20 or other selected means may be employed to rigidly secure the members I5 to the side members I3. The top members I5 extend beyond the side members I3 to have end parts which form elements of the hinge means I I to be later described. The top member I5 of each holdare in eii'ect continuous one piece elements.

The hinge means I I operate to connect the plurality of holders III in edge to edge relation so that they may be hinged or swung with respect to one another between the extended relation where the several holders occupy a common plane and the contracted condition where the holders are in parallel adjacent side by side relation. The hinge means comprise vertically spaced aligned tubes or loops 22 on the vertical edges of the holders IIl. In the construction illustrated the above mentioned projecting end parts of the bottom and `:op members I4 and I5 are bent or curled to constitute the loops 22, it being understood that these hinge elements may be formed on or may project from the side members I3. This is best illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The loops 22 are of substantial width to have vertical openings 23 of considerable length. The hinge openings 23 may have their vertical axes in the centrai vertical planes of the holders I0.

Links or compound hinge pins are engaged in the setor pairs of adjacent loops 22 of the connected holders IIl. These hinge pins each com.. prise a pair oi' spaced pin parts 24 and heads or ties 25 connecting the upper and lower ends of the pin parts. The links or compound hinge pins may be shaped from wire of suitable gauge. The pin parts 2l are pivotally received in the loop openings 23 and the ties 25 cooperate with the upper and lower edges of the loops 22 to retain the pin parts in the loops and to prevent relative vertical shifting and displacement of the holders The relationship between the adjacent holders I0 connected by the hinge means II, just described, is important. *Each holder I0 faces in the opposite direction to its adjacent holder I0, that is, one holder has its open lm receiving forward side facing to the right, the next holder Ill has its open front side facing to the left, the third holder Ill has its open forward side facing to the right, the next holder I0 has its open front side facing to the left and so on throughout the series of connected holders. This Asuccessive alternate disposition of the holders I0 causes the film retaining iianges 2I to all face in the same direction when the rack is in its contracted relation so that the iianges 2l overassassicovered. In practice this endmost holder I need not bel used to hold 'a film F or it may be used to hold a film as desired. -In cases where the endmost open holder I0 is to be employed to hold a illm F a hinged cover 30 may be provided to close its upper end. Suitable hinge means 3l may secure the cover 30 to the top member I5 so that the cover may be readily swung between open and closed positions.

' The means I2 for releasably holding the rack in its contracted or compact condition facilitates rthe handling of the rack and the insertion of the rack in the developing tank T and the subsequent removal of the rack from the tanti.

The means I2 is not essential in every case and may be varied greatly without departing from the broader aspects of the invention. In the form ofthe invention illustrated the means i2 comprises two latches or retainers 26 in the form of elongate straps or wires. The retainers 2t are curved or bowed outwardly and. their ends are turned in and shaped to form latches or catches 2l'. The catches 21 are adapted to snap or engage over the hinge loops 22 at the opposite ends of the contracted or folded together rack. In Figs. l and 2 I have shown the retainers 26 arranged adjacent the top of the rack to have; f

their catches 2l in latching engagement with the endmost loops 22 at the upper end of the rack structure. The retainers 26 operate to hold the plurality of holders l0 in the contracted relation and may be employed as handles to facilitate the manipulation or handling of the rack. The elongate retainers 26 are flexible and resilient so that their catches 2l may be easily engaged with and disengaged from the endmost hinge loops 22.

-In employing the film rack of the invention the holders lll may be extended or partially extended and placed on a table, bench or the like for the reception of the films F. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the hingedly connected holders it may be only partially eittended at this time to 'orm a zigzag structure which will maintain itself in the upright condition whenplaced on the table or bench. The `films F may be readily arranged in the holders I0 by merely passing them down into the channels i6. The films F are lowered or inserted to have their lower edges rest on the bottom flanges I9. When the several films F have been inserted in the holders il! the holders are swung or folded together to lie in adjacent side by side relation and the retainers 26 may be arranged in place ii desired. The contracted or folded together rack carrying the films F may then be inserted in the developing tank T. In this con= nection it will be observed that the rack forms a very compact unit which may be readily placed in the developing tank. The desensitizing iluid, washes, developing fluid, etc., employed in the de veloping process may be placed in the tank T in the usual manner. The bottom anges i9 of the holders I0- rest on the bottom of the tank T to support the filmsF above the tank bottom and the perforated channeled side members I3 protect and shield the edges of the films and yet allow the fluids to freely circulate around and between the films. It is to be understood that the developing tankv T may have the usual light-tight top or cover.

During the developing process it may be desired to inspect the illms F to determine their respective stages of development. The rack in the contracted or compact state may be readily lifted from the developing tank T and the retainers 28, when employed, may be quickly disengaged from the rack. The endmost holders I0 are then engaged or grasped and the rack is extended to form a single elongate strap or ribbon-like assembly or is partially extended to make two or more of the films F visible. The rack extended in this manner and held by the outstretched hands may be readily passed in front of the inspection lamp or safety light so that each individual film F may be inspected. In this connection it is to be particularly noted that the illms vF mayeach be individually inspected and may be compared one with the other to obtain a full comparison of their respective states oi. development. If it is found that one or more films have attained the desired development such lms may be readily Withdrawn from their re= spective holders ill without disturbing 'the other ims. The rack is then returned to its compact or folded together condition by merely pressing the hinged holder assembly together and the retainers 26 may be reapplied. The contracted rack may then .be returned to the tank T for the further development of the films. The in spection and comparison of the films require a minimum of time and do not necessitate indi vidual handling of the films which might result in scratching or injuring them. The films F may be inspected and compared as many times as desired and the lrns F may be individually removed irorn the rack as they reach their desired stage or development. g

The film developing rack of the present inven tion is very simple and inexpensive to manufac-n ture and greatly expedites the developing of cut photographic nlm. When the rack is employed in the nlm developing process it is possible to simultaneously inspect all of the films being developed and to more readily gauge their stage of development by comparing one with the other. The ilms are fully protected When in the rack and there is no danger of scratching or injuring them when the raclr is folded together and extended. The rack is small and compact and is suited for use in most developing tanks.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall Within the scope o the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l.. A film developing rack comprising a plum rality of holders, each holder having means for removably supporting a iilm, hinge means connecting adjacent edges of the holders to form an articulated assembly capable of extension to bring the holders in line in edge to edge relation and capable of contraction to bring the holders in t adjacent side by side relation, and means for preventing upward displacement of the iilms from the holders when the assembly is in the conthe holders in line in edge to edge relation and capable of contraction to bring the holders in adjacent side by side relation, -and a projecting part rigid with each holder forpreventing the upward displacement of the nlm from angedjacent holder when theassembly is in said contracted condition.

3. A illm rack comprising aplurality of holders, each holder having a channel in its iront face for removably receiving a nlm, a flange on the rear face of each holder, and hinge means connecting the sections for relative swinging movement between extended positions where they are in a row and contracted positions in face to face relation, said flanges overhanging the channels in the adjacent holders to retain the films therein when the holders are in the contracted position.

4. A nlm rack comprising a plurality of holders, each including spaced elongate sidemembers having opposing channels for receiving the edge portions of a film, a bottom member attached to the side members, a forwardly turned flange on the bottom member for supporting the nlm in the channels, a top member attached to the side members, a rearwardly projecting flange on the top member, and hinges connecting the holders for relative swinging between extended positions and contracted positions where they are in adjacent side by side relation, the flanges on the top members overlying said channels of adjacent members to prevent loss of'the lms.

5. A iilm rack comprising a plurality of holders, each including spaced elongate side members having opposing channels for receiving the edge portions of a nlm, a bottom member attached tothe side members, a forwardly turned flange on the bottom member for supporting the nlm in the channels, a top member attached to `the side members, a rearwardly projecting ange on the top member, and hinges connecting the holders for relative swinging between extended positions and contracted positions where they are in adjacent side by side relation, the hinges comprising loops on the ends of the top and bottom members, and links engaged in the loops of the adjacent holders, the anges on the top members overlying said channels oi? adjacent members, when the holders are in said contracted positions, to prevent loss of the anims.

6. A nlm developing rack comprising a plurality of holders, each holder having means for removably supporting a iilm, hinge means connecting adjacent edges of the holders to form an articulated assembly capable of extension to bring the holders in line in edge to edge relation and capable oi.' contraction to bring the holders in adjacent side by side relation, and retainers for extending between and removably latching with the hinge means at the opposite ends of the contracted holders to retain the holders in said contracted relation.

7. A nlm rack comprising a plurality of holders,

each including spaced elongate side membersy having opposing channels for receiving the edge portions of a iilm, a bottom member attached to the side members, a forwardly turned flange on the bottom member for supporting the film in the channels, a top member attached to the side members, a rearwardly projecting ilange on the top member, hinges connecting the holders for relative swinging between extended positions and contracted positions where they are in adjacent side byside relation, the flanges on the top members overlying said channels of adjacent members to prevent loss of the lms, and a cover for overlying the channels of the frontmost holder. y

8. A illm rack comprising a plurality of holders, each including spaced elongate side members having opposing channels for receiving the edge portions of a film, a bottom member attached to the side members, a forwardly turned nange on the bottom member for supporting the nlm in the channels, a top member attached to the side members, a rearwardly projecting flange on the top member, hinges connecting the holders for relative swinging between extended positions and contracted positions where they are in adjacent side by side relation, the flanges on the top members overlying said channels of adjacent members to prevent loss of the films, and a cover hinged to the frontmost holder for covering its channels.

ELLIS W. COOPER. 

